soon tracking leader, pushed along over 3f out, chased winner approaching final 2f, soon hung right, lost 2nd inside final 2f, no extra inside final furlong, lost 3rd final 110 yards
tracked leading trio and pushed along at times, rapid move on outside to lead over 2f out and sent for home, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
tracked leading pair on inside, switched right to inside and outpaced as winner quickened on over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden and kept on same pace over 1f out, no chance with easy winner
pushed along to lead, headed and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway on inside into 5th over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up last, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong went 3rd final 110 yards, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Cracksman may have won this last year by seven lengths but has something to prove now having struggled to land the odds in the Coronation Cup at Epsom before finding Poet’s Word too good in the Prince Of Wales’s over track and trip. The return to soft ground and first-time blinkers may well see him back to his very best but he’s taken on with CRYSTAL OCEAN (NAP). The latter found the brilliant Enable too good at Kempton last time but a neck defeat by stablemate Poet’s Word in the King George here before that gives Sir Michael Stoute’s colt every chance on form and today’s going is not a problem. Group 1 winner Rhododendron has struggled since winning the Lockinge back in May and Ryan Moore partners recent Arc fifth Capri while Monarchs Glen hasn’t raced since landing the Listed Wolferton here in June. Verbal Dexterity, Maverick Wave and Subway Dancer all look out of their depth.
Capri (IRE) (9-5) 5th of 19, 3 1/4l behind Enable (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 gs in Oct.
Cracksman 2-5fav (9-0) Slowly into stride and never travelling in 4th, headway on outside and forced wide on home turn, ridden to lead approaching final 2f, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Poet's Word (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Crystal Ocean 6-4 (9-10) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Enable (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep.
Maverick Wave (USA) 100-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4f out until pushed along and hung right 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Cracksman (9-1) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Monarchs Glen 8-1 (9-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, smooth headway on inside over 2f out, switched left to challenge over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, driven clear, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jun beating Euginio (9-3) by 1l, 16 ran.
Subway Dancer (IRE) (9-2) 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Alignement (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 gs in Oct.
Rhododendron (IRE) (9-2) 12th of 16, 24 1/4l behind Wild Illusion (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in Oct.
Verbal Dexterity (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Soon raced in 4th, switched right towards outer inside first half mile, closed up halfway, pushed along before straight, no impression when slightly impeded over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 7, 9 3/4l behind Roaring Lion (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Sep.
